The techniques and technologies behind making comics are at best ill-documented and at worst never caught on film at all. That does not have to be. This defines the purpose of this endeavor, to create an archive, an active time capsule that I can continually add to, that makes sure that the way in which comics have been made and are made presently, is never lost to time. This is The Comic Archive.

I am setting out to document the comics creation process from the first little inkling in a creator’s mind, to the point at which the finished product is in a reader’s hands; and then take all that and put it online as an open and easily accessible library of videos for both casual interest and professional tips. This will happen in a combination of formal interviews that I conduct, self-made interviews by professionals using Flip style cameras on loan from the site and user created videos submitted to the site. That last part has a huge meaning to the site. With visitors called on to actively participate, the library will be a combination of archive and communal social event. The hope is that we share with the world just how much goes into comic book art–from the sense of motion to the windows on the buildings in the background. There’s a world of artists out there, and techniques unique to each and every one. Let’s create an archive to preserve, share and advance the art of comics with this website.

It’ a great idea. However, the project can use your help, needing funding for site hosting and equipment. Mike’s offering original art and other incentives for various tiers of pledges. See here for details.

Here’s some video to get an idea of the quality of content the site promises. The first features Steve Niles, Mark Deering, Tim Bradstreet, and Simon Fraser discussing the first time they saw their work in print…